Shark Variations

One of New Zealand's most revered drummers and jazz composers, Reuben Bradley teams up with Roger Manins (sax) and Brett Hirst (bass) for his fourth Rattle release.

Recorded after their New Zealand tour in September 2016 (by Rattle's in-house engineer Steve Garden), Shark Variations is a recording made with complete freedom and sincerity. It was also made with love. Reuben, Roger, and Brett are not only three of the finest musicians working in Australasia today, they are very close friends, and their common accord is wholly evident in their shared musical language. Shark Variations is alive with vibrant energy, a joyful set of musical explorations of themes and ideas developed over many years.

Shark Variations can trace its roots back to one of Rattle's earliest improvising ensemble releases, Roger Manins' debut Rattle release Trio (2010), an album that in many respects helped to define Rattle's aspiration to document new works for improvising ensembles. Like Roger's album, Shark Variations is unashamedly preoccupied with musical expression, and no concessions have been made to modify, mediate, or neuter the demands of the music for the sake of any preconceived notions about accessibility. And yet the music is as engaging and affirming in its fundamental humanity and honesty as you will find anywhere on the planet.

Shark Variations is an album with great heart and ambition, and Rattle is proud to offer it to those who love good music for its own sake ... beautifully played, recorded, and presented for the simple pleasure of listening.